New discoveries in stem cell research shared in Dubai

Internationally-renowned Dr. Susan Lim of the Gleneagles Medical Centre, Singapore, will deliver a lecture on the topic of the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine and tissue repair, drawing on the experience of Gleneagles as the first centre to launch a stem cell transplantation program, and whose physicians were among the first to perform stem cell transplants.

Developments in the field of stem cell treatments are followed with interest by the Middle East medical community, especially since such transplants have been successful in the treatment of thalassemia - the inherited blood disorder which is particularly prevalent in the region.

Dr. Lim will be joined by a number of leading Singaporean physicians, who will lead sessions on a range of advanced medical treatments, including a laparoscopic approach to treating cancer and the latest developments in breast MRI screening and biopsy.

Dr. Jee Lim Tan and Dr. Chris Chong also of Gleneagles Hospital and Dr. Llewellyn Sim from Singapore General Hospital will be among other physicians participating in the lecture series.

"Our aim in bringing such a distinguished panel to Dubai is to foster greater knowledge-sharing between healthcare bodies from Singapore and the Middle East and also to share some of the major medical advances being made in our country,"

said Ke-Wei Peh, Area Director for the Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board.

Singapore has one of Asia's most advanced medical systems and has invested significantly in revolutionary treatment areas, such as robotic surgery and living donor liver transplants.

Arab Health will run from 29 January until 1 February 2007.